Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-07-21
BY JAMES FRANKLIN Fits,
Copyright. 1887, by The A. " Kellogg Neacspcpe
- 49, ComDdnu1
PART I.-CHAPTER VII


q Captain Willis entered his cabin
again, closed the door, seated himself
by the table and leaned his head on
both hands H.
q He had said to the mate that he
wanted to go below and make some
Preparations before he came up to
share the night-watch with him.
What he really wanted was a few
moments solitude for deliberate
thought. And when this man needed
to go away by himself and think, there
must have been some serious trouble.
He had not been accustomed to take
serious thought about any thing. His
Judgment was generally good, his will
was always strong, and he was apt to
decide upon what seemed the proper
course off-hand.. Co.,
Thus he had done now. Because of
the vexations and annoyances that were
besieging him as an American in Ha-
vana, he had decided without refiec-
ton that any thing would be better
than another day of such petty miseries.
Deliberately, he could hardly have
gone to sea with a crew of thieves, pi-
rates and refuse of the city. The pos
sible consequences of such a step
ought to have occurred to him. But
he had acted hastily, almost passion
ately; and the serious consequences
were upon him before darkness of that
day. One man necessarily slain by his
own hand, as a mutin6er; another in
irons below; with mutiny crushed for
the moment, but likely to break out
again at any hour; with but two men
in the vessel upon whom he could de-
pend, and he and they likely to be
worn out by the watches which this
state of things rendered necessary, and
thus to fall an easy prey to the others
this was the wretched prospect that
appeared to the Captain as he sat in his
cabin.
He was not given to useless repining.
IF he had been, he would have con-
demned himself severely for his precip-
itancy.
His reflections were interrupted by a
rap at the door. He said: Come in, y
and Jose Gardez entered.
80. Captain Willis was of course in bad
humor at this moment, and the sight OF
this man added to the flame.
What the deuce brought you here?''
he shouted Haven't you learned
that you've no business in my cabin
till you're asked?" ..
81 was asked, SIR" the man replied.
'Who asked you?'
ssMr Hardy, sir. l went up to him
a few minutes ago, and told him what
I am going to tell you now; and he
said he couldn't leave the deck, but
told me to come right to YOU
The manner and tone of the man
were perfectly quiet, as we'll as respect
full. The Captains heat was over. He
eyed his visitor curiously.
81 thought You couldn't speak En-
glish?" 49,. 1
..I could not, yesterday, because
was in Havana. Now we're at sea, the
language has come back to me-"
A faint intimation of more strange
happenings in store agitated the Cap
tain's mind. He passed his hands
through his hair, shook his head vigor
ously, as if to clear it, and then looked
the man straight in the eye.
you've something to tell me-" he
said. Say it-quickr'
Captain Willis, l want to tell you
in the first place, that you can depend
on me to stand by you against the lo
of ruffians you have shipped. I'm il
earnest about this I mean it. Yet
must tell you that rat one of them
nor all of them, deceived 9ou as
have" ~
The Captain answered not word.
A suspicion of the strange truth broke
upon his mind and held him dumb.
II shipped on your vessel by thu
name of Jose Gardez; that is not m.
name, it is Henry Crawford. I said
was born in Cuba, of Spanish parents
/ am in fact an American, a native o
New England. l said / could no
speak English; it is my native tongue
though few Americans can speal
Spanish better. / pretended to be al
able seaman; all know Of seamanshil
is what picked up by observing sail
ors on several voyages as a passenger
was never aboard the "Cid Campea
dor" in my life. was never at Cadiz
In fact and the speakers voice plainl.